4 Agriculture Extension Officer Jobs – Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Job Title: Agriculture Extension Officer (4 Job Opportunities)

Organization: Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Project Name: National Oil Palm Project (NOPP)

Duty Station: Uganda

Reports to: Hub Manager

About US:

The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards financing a ten-year National Oil Palm Project (NOPP). The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) as the Lead Project Agency, in partnership with other agencies, private sector and farmer Organisations.

Job Summary: The overall responsibility of the Agricultural Extension officers is to ensure that the oil palm establishment activities are carried out in accordance with the laid down guidelines in the Project Implementation Manual (PIM). They will also provide extension advice in agricultural intensification under alternative livelihoods activities. Each Extension Officer will be in charge of a sub-county / Block where project activities will be undertaken.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mobilize farmers into groups for delivery of extension services.
• Identify farmer’s need and provide responses as appropriate.
• Assist the farmers and their leaders (Unit and Block) to identify suitable land and plan the schedules for the recommended services and farm inputs for oil palm establishment.
• Oversee the oil palm establishment stages in land preparation, lining, planting, crop maintenance, FFB harvesting and collection at Block level and unit level.
• Provide Agricultural Advisory and Training service to oil palm farmers in collaboration with Agricultural staff at the District Local Government and the Private Sector.
• Carry out agronomic demonstrations, training or exposure of farmers to best oil palm agronomic practices.
• Conduct in-field training sessions on correct use and application of fertilizers and crop protection products.
• Provide technical advice to non-oil palm farmers participating in other project-supported agricultural enterprises, in addition to oil palm.
• Supervise and monitor the performance of farmers’ activities in oil palm cultivation.
• In liaison with the Credit Officer, sensitize farmers on savings and credit.
• Support the Farmer Loan Application Process.
• Technically assess stages of oil palm development for approval of farmers’ loan payments.
• Participate in preparation of work plans, budgets and reports as required by the Hub, PMU and other relevant authorities.
• Ensuring timely and accurate reporting of all activities to the Hub Manager.
• Perform other duties related to the project as assigned by the Hub Manager from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, Agribusiness, Agricultural Land use and Management or related field from a recognized Institution.
• A post graduate qualification in the related field.
• At least five years of experience in working in relevant field
• Fluent in English and a working knowledge of the local languages in the Hub.
• Knowledge of Oil Palm Agronomy is an added advantage
• Computer literate in at least MS Office Word and Excel packages
• Be a Ugandan citizen with a National Identification card
• Have general knowledge of project and business management with emphasis on work planning, budgeting and reporting;
• Be computer literate and well versed in the use of word, excel and internet;
• Be self-motivated and have the ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision to meet deadlines;
• Be fluent in English – written and oral and demonstrate excellent report writing skills;
• Possess advanced advocacy, communication and negotiation skills and ability to work as a team member;
• Be conversant with rural development strategies and gender equity;
• Have a working knowledge of GOU policies, operations and reforms;

How to Apply:

All candidates should send their written applications with copies of academic credentials, testimonials and detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating contact details of three (03) referees should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and hand delivered to the Ministry Registry located at Plot No.14 Lugard Road Entebbe P.O. Box 102 Entebbe. Uganda

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Deadline: Monday 12th October, 2020 by 4.00pm